Is the Lord's Prayer Non-denominational?
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Question:
For years, we have been closing Alcoholics Anonymous meetings with the Lord's Prayer, as do many other groups. We sometimes have Jewish people attending, and I had been taught this was a universal prayer. Lately, by request, we have begun to consider closing with something else. What do you think?
Answer:
Shalom,
It's true that the Lord's Prayer fits equally across all the Abrahamic traditions. It is similar in many ways to prayers that were popular among pious Jews in Roman times, including the kaddish prayer, and reflects traditional Jewish values. You may wish to read more on this in the relevant article in the Jewish Encyclopedia.
Nevertheless, Jews do not say this prayer. If a Jew attends an AA meeting where it is recited, he does not have to leave, but he should not recite it along with them. The reason is easy to understand: Its source is what is called "The New Testament". The existence of the Jewish People is predicated on an eternal pact G-d made with Abraham and later with his descendants at Mount Sinai. A "New Testament" implies that this pact was somehow annulled. By reciting a prayer from a context that undermines the existential foundation of his people, a Jew feels that he is surrendering his unique identity to the ideology of the majority culture. It seems to me that this runs contrary to the aims and goals of AA, which looks to strengthen each member's identity as a unique individual, with his own meaning and purpose in life.
Many AA groups and other 12-step societies have a practice of saying the 23rd Psalm, "The Lord is my shepherd...." The Psalms are revered by Jews, Christians and Muslims, and this one in particular relates closely to the theme of AA.
Please let me know if this helps,
Rabbi Tzvi Freeman
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Latest Comments:
I quietly say the Shema, Shehekianu and Baruch shem kevod malchuto l'olam va'ed. The cadence goes right along with the other people's recitation of the Lord's Prayer and nobody has ever taken issue with it.. and I live in a small town where there is NO Jewish presence. The group has welcomed me completely.
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Is there a prayer that includes the words "G-d, our Father"?
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Sad to see that there are always those who want to put everything inside neat little boxes, labeled "Alike" & "Different" or Agree/Disagree...it's the main ingredient that encourages bullying in our youths, du jour...and carries into adulthood. Causes the #1 starting point of unhealthy habits, leading to addictions, which are soul sicknesses, rooted in hate. God is Love...and AA promotes the "God of Your Understanding"...no denomination is advocated and The Program works worldwide, for all people, even when religion, and society's secular remedies, have also, failed. "It works if you work it"...is all inclusive. The 12 Steps & 12 Traditions are easily accessed online and are the only "rules" a member needs. "Opinions", additions and subtractions are not "AA approved".
~ AA saves lives ~ IF we: "Just DO It! ;)
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I never say the Lord's prayer at the end of AA meetings. It is a prayer that belongs to one religion only: Christianity. If people got up and started reciting the Shma Yiroel, everyone would be up in arms that AA is spiritual, not religious, but using a Christian prayer seems to be ok with most members. AA was based on the Oxford group movement, which was a Christian evangelical group. The founders of AA, Bill Wilson in particular, tried to water down the evangelical message but there are still vestiges of it in the program itself, never mind the way it is interpreted. I usually say the Shma to myself if others are doing the Lord's prayer or I remain quiet.
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I quietly say the Shema, and Shehekianu at closing - it is a "G-d of your understanding". Nobody has ever complained and I don't feel any "less Jewish"...
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To recite the Lord's Prayer, (Christian Scripture) at any 12-Step meeting is an endorsement of a specific religion, and is, thus, a violation of the traditions of the 12-Step community. It also demonstrates a lack of the spiritual principle of tolerance to force biblical scriptures upon non-believers. Why can't people brace their own personal Higher Power without forcing it upon others?
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Unity is one of the greatest principles of AA, as well as non-denominational. I grew up with the Lord's prayer and am comfortable with it, that does NOT make it RIGHT for a group to exclude discussion with respect to others in their own religious beliefs. Some of the greatest arguments AGAINST not having the Lord's prayer to end meetings are those who seem troubled by the reference to GOD in their "higher power" stating AA is a SPIRITUAL program and NOT a religious one. For me, I'd like to think the actual evolution of AA should want to practice these principles of UNITY and SPIRITUAL principles in our meetings by ending with the Declaration of UNITY. I also believe no PERSON should think themselves the defender of God as God IS THE Power...not Man. Why wouldn't any of us know removing the Lord's prayer wouldn't hurt God in ANY way. Doing so might make even more individuals comfortable enough to stay & witness changes brought about in others to seek same. Let Fear GO,Let GOD!
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Phil, you'd stated, "..AA is filled with contradictions." Actually, AA is filled with human beings, all fallible, all seeking a way out of thier prison. AA is for those trying to stay clean and sober, period. It is not about personalities, it is about principles. Prayer, as a principle, is a practice that helps in this regard. In AA, you can pray in any language, and in any manner you wish. You can believe, or disbelieve whatever religious tradition you like; As Long As It Works For You. AA has been attacked for its' stance in not adopting a single religion as part of its' organization. AA, and NA have been attacked , and members have been killed by the druglords of this world. I know I'm not supposed to tell, but there is a solid connection between both statements. Ever notice the way the 12 steps are written? The word 'G-d' is there 4 times (Y-H-V-H) the first number is 1, and the first letter is a 'W', which is also an old Hebrew 'Shin', the symbol of Avraham's G-d. Wake Up!
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I'd say that your argument "why not" is weak and not historical. It was not called the "New Testament" then, it was called the "Good News" or Gospel and, before that, (by 32AD) was called "The Way". And "New Testament" does not mean that the "Old" is not valid for Jesus said that he came to affirm the Law, not deny it.
BTW, there's a one-to-one correspondence between the Lord's Prayer and the Ten Commandments. One on positive, the other on negation, but verse by verse with the same meaning. I could go at a greater length but all you have to do is compare. The Lord's Prayer begins by affirming that there is one and only God, Our Father.
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B"H
The last time I attended a meeting in which the christian chant was done in closing, I spoke up and said several berochah. There may be a difference in whom christians address as their lord, and what I consider my Lord. There's a difference between Baal and Adonai. Both are translated as lord, or master. Oy vey! talk about confusion. (See; Jeremiah 23) ..I guess I'd better not forget His true name (Hashem / Yud-Ke'-Vav- Ke') when saying any prayer invoking the moniker; 'the lord'. In Isaiah, it is written, "...for it is a certainty Hashem, that You are Our Father." The church texts say that the Nazarene taught the prayer to his talmudim (students), yet he does not tell them to pray to himself. So, I wonder why christians think that he was referring to himself? Who told them this obvious falsehood, if it wasn't the Nazarene? Whatever. It is not important to me enough to bother explaining, perhaps one day they will begin wondering about such things, and begin seeking for truth?
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